Gem-display holder.



M. L. ALSOP.

GEM DISPLAY HOLDER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22, 1910.

1,012,501. Patented Dec.19,1911.

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MARTIN L. ALSOP, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

GEM-DISPLAY HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 22, 1910.

Patented Dec. 19, 1911.

Serial No. 593,748.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN L. ALsor, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gem-Display Hold ers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved gem display holder and the leading object thereof is to provide a gem display holder that can be manufactured very cheaply and which is formed with resilient gem clamping arms so arranged on the holder that a gem will be accurately centered thereon.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gem display holder having a body formed of a single strip of resilient material and provided with terminal portions formed into curved resilient arms and having gem clamping aws and so arranged that gems of various sizes will be positively gripped in position for display and accurately centered on the body of the holder.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a gem display holder having a U- shaped finger engaging ring or band and resilient arms integral with said band and provided with terminal jaws adapted to grip a gem for display on a finger and so arranged as to self center a gem, and means slidable on the band and arms adapted to hold said jaws in positive gripping position and adapted to be moved to positions to hold the jaws for positive gripping when the holder is mounted upon a finger.

lVith the above and other objects in view the invention relates to certain combinations, constructions and arrangement of parts clearly described in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the application of the improved holder to a human finger. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the holder removed and the jaws shown in their open positions. Fig. 3 is an edge view of the holder with a gem in place between the aws. Fig. 1 is a front elevation showing a gem in place between the jaws.

Referring to the accompanying drawings 1 denotes a body portion or strip of spring material, the central portion of which is bent into U-shaped form to provide a finger cngaging spring band having legs 2. The terminals of the legs 2 are bent outwardly and then inwardly to form lateral portions 3 adapted to be engaged by the finger and thumb of the user and to form stops for the slidable adjustment means.

Curved spring arms 4 extend from thelateral portions 3 and terminate in gem gripping jaws 5 which are provided with prongs 6. Clamping bands 7 are slidable on the legs 2 and the spring arms 4 and are adapted to move the jaws 5 toward each other or to hold said jaws positively in gripping positions when moved toward the central portion of the spring band.

lVhen it is desired to arrange a gem for display on the holder pressure is applied upon the lateral portions or steps 3 so as to move the terminals of the legs 2 toward each other and thereby move the gripping jaws away from each other, when a gem can be inserted between the gripping jaws. Pressure is then released from the stops and the clamping bands arc moved to their uppermost positions so as to positively grip the gem against accidental displacement. The holder may then he placed upon a finger and the action of mounting the holder upon the finger will tend to force the band 7 along the legs 2 and the arms 4 so as to more effectively bind the gripping jaws against the gem.

The gripping jaws are arranged at equidistant points on either side of the central point of the holder so that a gem will be easily centered and positively held in its centered position on the holder. The in1- proved gem holder is therefore a self centering gem display device, and owing to the arrangement of the clamping bands 7 upon the spring arms and legs of the spring band the holder is a self adjusting one, as the act of mounting the holder upon a finger forces the clamping hands into their uppermost or clamping positions and binds the gripping jaws against relative outward movement on the spring band, thereby preventing the possible customer from forcing the gem from between the gripping jaws. lVhcn the high value of precious gems is considered the importance of this construction will be greatly appreciated.

By forming the holder out of a single strip of spring material and providing the clamping bands for adjusting and binding the gripping jaws the device can be manufactured at a very low cost. No cutting points 01' surfaces are presented to the wcarer'or to the operator, and it is not necessary for a jeweler to have any special tools to adjust the gripping aws or to bind them in their adjusted positions. The device also serves as a pick-up for gems and in this connection will be especially useful in handling very small gems.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is A gem display holder made of a single strip of resilient metal and bent to form a Ushaped finger engaging member and terminal arms extending from said U-shaped member, said terminal arms being connected to said member by outwardly extending portions and curved against the lugs of said U shaped member and having gem gripping jaws on their ends, said arms being normally held away from a U-shaped member and being adapted to be moved away from each other by applying pressure on the outwardly extending portions.

In testimony whereof aiiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. MARTIN L. ALSOP \Vitnesses a E. EDMoNsToN, J12, 1 D. W. GOULD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

